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translated by Jake Spatz
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| Alma de bandoneón (1935) | The soul of the bandoneón | |
| Music & lyrics: Enrique Santos Discépolo (1) Rec. by Francisco Canaro with Roberto Maida (2) Rec. by Imperio Argentina | Tr. Jake Spatz Recited 16 May 07, Divino Lounge | |
| Yo me burlé de vos porque no te entendí ni comprendí tu dolor... Tuve la sensación de que tu canto cruel lo habias robao, bandoneón. Recien comprendo bien la desesperación que te revuelve al gemir: sos una oruga que quiso ser mariposa antes de morir! | I once made fun of you before I knew about or knew the depths of your pain... I had the feeling then the hardship in your song was something stolen, bandoneón. I see so clearly now how all of your despair returns to you as you moan: you're just a caterpillar that wanted to be a butterfly before it's life's through! | |
| Fue tu voz, bandoneón, la que me confió el dolor de fracaso que hay en tu gemir; voz que es fondo de la vida oscura y sin perdon, del que soñó volar y arrastra su ilusion llorandola... | It was your voice, bandoneón, that confided to me all the pain of falling short, felt as it is in your moan; a voice that speaks from the dregs of life where forgiveness and light aren't known— the life that dreamed it could fly and drags your hopes along, weeping all the way... | |
| Igual que vos soñé... Igual que vos viví sin alcanzar mi ambición. Alma del bandoneon— alma que arrastro en mi— voz de desdicha y de amor!... te buscaré al morir, te llamaré en mi adios, para pedirte perdón... y al apretarte en mis brazos darte en pedazos mi corazón. | The same as you I dreamed, the same as you I lived, without arriving at my goal... Bandoneón, your soul— the soul I drag with me— voice of misfortune and love! When I die I'll look for you, with my good-bye I'll call to you, to beg of you forgiveness, and as I squeeze you within my arms, give you all the pieces of my heart. | |
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